Luke, I have no strong preferences. Of the four locations, I have been to the Ouachita Mtns and Caprock Canyon SP. The Ouachita Mountains are always nice, like Eagle Rock Loop even somewhere along the length of the Ouachita Trail.

I'd definitely be interested. Agree Ouachita's would be great, ERL would be great or a section of the OT. but I'm open to other venues... also agree on later....mid Oct at earliest I would think and even then could be pretty warm, nicer in Nov.....thru April...but I'm flexible.

Thanks for all the reponses ya'll. Sounds like no one is ready to go right away, I'd say lets start think about dates in October/November (more hunters will be out in November). I have not particular plans then, I should be free most weekends. Spring would work for me too, I just hate to wait that long. If you guys have specific dates you can or can't come let me know.

I'm thinking we should eliminate Caprock and the Wichita Mtns. they aren't close to anyone and that would be a long drive from SE Texas (its a decent drive from Dallas already). That leaves us with Lost Maples, Lone Star Trail and the Ouchita Mtns. I figure the Ouchitas would be better if we actually want to do so real hiking, more trails, more water etc. They aren't too long a drive for me but if you're in SE Texas that might be too much, let us know.

The opening day for deer season(excluding muzzleloader 10/20 and bow hunting 9/15) in zone 11 (majority of the Ouachita's) is 11/10. Maybe try for the first week of Nov.? I'd certainly be open to earlier,mid Oct would be ok too...I have a serious case of trail fever, now that school's cranked back up. It hasn't helped that the weather here has been unseasonably cool for August...not cool enough to hit the trail...just cool enough to get me thinking about it in earnest!

Backpacking Arkansas members have our Fall Gathering the last full weekend of Oct (26-28) and I'm committed to that, but if the GGG is any other weekend I'd love to be there, where ever folks decide! Thanks for getting this going Luke!

@Eugene,Maybe we could get some interest in folks doing one at Big Bend late fall/winter.

My concern with a trip to West Texas is that we'd lose a lot of people if we went there. Maybe other people in East Texas/Arkansas can weigh in on how that would affect there plans. If West Texas is too far for some folks maybe we could just do two separate trips? One in West Texas and one in Arkansas. Those of us in the middle could try to go on both.

Keep me updated guys, I've been researching Texas hikes, nothing new but I'm working on it. Until then I really won't have much to add to the discussion, just don't think I disappeared.

I am still up for either an Arkansas Trip or a trip somewhere in Texas, maybe both. I'm hoping to be able to plan a few commitments out over the weekend so I can give more specific dates as to when I could be available. If anyone has any dates that will or won't work let me know.